At the Threshold of Liberty: Women, Slavery, and Shifting Identities in Washington, D.C.

by Tamika Y. Nunley

The capital city of a nation founded on the premise of liberty, nineteenth-century Washington, D.C., was both an entrepot of urban slavery and the target of abolitionist ferment. The growing slave trade and the enactment of Black codes placed the city's Black women within the rigid confines of a social hierarchy ordered by race and gender. At the Threshold of Liberty reveals how these women--enslaved, fugitive, and free--imagined new identities and lives beyond the oppressive restrictions intended to prevent them from ever experiencing liberty, self-respect, and power.

Consulting newspapers, government documents, letters, abolitionist records, legislation, and memoirs, Tamika Y. Nunley traces how Black women navigated social and legal proscriptions to develop their own ideas about liberty as they escaped from slavery, initiated freedom suits, created entrepreneurial economies, pursued education, and participated in political work. In telling these stories, Nunley places Black women at the vanguard of the history of Washington, D.C., and the momentous transformations of nineteenth-century America.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

270 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2021

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable bit of scholarship. It is primarily looking at African American women’s acts of self-determination as resistance and as the means by which possibility and meaning can be wrenched from enslavement and post enslavement lives in the Washington D.C. area. Reads almost narratively, but there’s an excellent use of primary sources here.

[Kellie Carter-Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Tamika Nunley has a written a powerful and necessary study of Black women living in Washington DC during the 19th Century. She beautifully illustrates how Black women (Free, Fugitives, and Enslaved) navigated their social, political and economic struggles to define their own identities and re-imagined a world that could work for them. At the Threshold of Liberty is a must read for any serious student of history that wants to know more about Black women how reconcile with slavery and emancipation in the nation's capital. Her work adds to the voices, volume, and value that constantly needs to be amplified in the field of History.

[Ambrose Faturoti · Rating 5 out of 5]

At The Threshold of Liberty evidences meticulous review of early American archives to present beautifully full pictures about how black women navigated their freedom claims in the nation's capital around Emancipation, drawing upon the stories of over 200 black women. This is a must read for civil war buffs, history teachers, those interested in African-American history, Women's history, and black women's history.

[Michelle Connavino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a joy to read! I was captivated by these women’s stories and the way their lives and identities intertwined with the history of our nation’s capital. I learned so much reading about these women who were reinventing themselves, their liberty, and their futures as Washington, D.C. was doing the same.

[Carmen Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the Threshold of Liberty is an excellent and intriguing read. It is very well researched and written. It provides often overlooked insight into the lives of African American women slaves and the strength they displayed as they endured slavery. These so often untold stories provide a fresh prospective. I agree that it is a must read!

[Meaghan Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, she is an incredible historian! I love the way she works with identity building and interiority with enslaved women while being so deeply grounded in her sources. In all this, it's also expertly written and could be read by non-historians too, I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to better understand slavery in the district.

[LisaM78 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suggested to me by a friend from DC bc I love early American history. This book really opened my eyes. Elegantly written and powerful, I enjoyed that the women's lives and struggles were centered. I would love to read more history like this.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. So well written and informative. Such an important perspective.

[Lewis Nunley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! Especially the great stories about African American women during that period, who in spite of the many obstacles they faced, They overcame with great creativity and endurance.

[Melissa Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the Threshold of Liberty is well researched and thought provoking. A must read for students, professors and all lovers of “herstory.”

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read which was well researched and beautifully written. I look forward to reading more books from Dr. Nunley. The insights afforded in this book will blow your mind.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, gripping, surprising, this book takes the reader into the world of Washington, D.C..... a city the reader might not recognize, where both freed and enslaved Black women co-exist as they navigate this often treacherous urban area before the Civil War. This was a Washington, D.C. that I had never studied in American History class. I felt both enlightened and disturbed by these stories, coming away filled with awe and respect for these strong Black women brought back to life by the research of Dr. Nunley. This book will surely find its way into required reading for future history classes.

[Jocelyn Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book! It was an easy and enjoyable read, and that’s important to someone like me. This was a book that I didn't want to put down! Dr. Nunley's book is well thought out and beautifully written as it made sure to capture the true essence and feelings of these women and how they had to overcome so much. Such powerful words/stories about these strong women reimagining and reinventing theirs lives. I would highly recommend this book.